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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$35,585 GS-5 Step 1 in AUSTIN (2020)
$46,262 GS-5 Step 10 in AUSTIN (2020)
+$5,472 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-5 pay table for AUSTIN

Each step below already includes the 18.17% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-5 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $35,585 $1,368.65 $17.05 +$5,472
Step 2 $36,771 $1,414.27 $17.62 +$5,654
Step 3 $37,957 $1,459.88 $18.19 +$5,836
Step 4 $39,144 $1,505.54 $18.76 +$6,019
Step 5 $40,330 $1,551.15 $19.32 +$6,201
Step 6 $41,517 $1,596.81 $19.89 +$6,384
Step 7 $42,703 $1,642.42 $20.46 +$6,566
Step 8 $43,890 $1,688.08 $21.03 +$6,749
Step 9 $45,076 $1,733.69 $21.60 +$6,931
Step 10 $46,262 $1,779.31 $22.17 +$7,113

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more AUSTIN pays

  • Base GS-5 Step 1 $30,113
  • AUSTIN GS-5 Step 1 $35,585
  • Locality add-on +$5,472
  • Adjustment percent 18.17%
  • Base GS-5 Step 10 $39,149
  • AUSTIN GS-5 Step 10 $46,262

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-5 in AUSTIN: what to expect

Entry-level professional and administrative positions, including many recent college graduates hired into program, budget, or HR roles.

For 2020, the AUSTIN pay area adds a 18.17% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-5 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. A bachelor's degree, three years of general experience, or one year at the GS-4 level.

Promotion path. GS-5 is a common ladder start. Typical progression is GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9.

The rough military equivalent for GS-5 is E-6 Staff Sergeant, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-5 in AUSTIN

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns roughly $1,369 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $1,779. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-5 AUSTIN page.

Other grades in AUSTIN

GS-5 in AUSTIN questions

  • How much does a GS-5 make in AUSTIN?
    In 2020, a GS-5 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns $35,585 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $46,262. This is 18.17% higher than the base GS-5 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-5 in AUSTIN?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For AUSTIN in 2020, it is 18.17%. On a GS-5 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $5,472 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-5 in AUSTIN?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-5 Step 1 employee in AUSTIN earns roughly $1,369 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.